TEHRAN, Iran, October 31 (ANI) — A preliminary framework for negotiations between the United States and Iran proposes transferring Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile to an agreed third country or reducing its enrichment level, while reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international maritime traffic within seven days of an initial understanding, Al Arabiya English reported.
According to Al Arabiya English, which obtained the draft’s key points, China could potentially serve as a guarantor for the implementation and long-term viability of any agreement.
The framework also proposes holding direct U.S.-Iran negotiations in Doha rather than Istanbul.
Under the proposed arrangement, Iran’s commitments on its nuclear program and maritime security would be matched by U.S. steps to ease sanctions, blockades and economic restrictions.
An independent verification mechanism would assess compliance before each phase of implementation, ensuring that neither side makes substantial concessions without corresponding, independently verifiable commitments.
The draft also proposes a dispute-resolution mechanism involving mediators and guarantor parties to address delays or violations and prevent renewed military escalation, according to the news outlet.
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran to help restore a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The delegation, led by a senior adviser to Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister and operating in coordination with Washington, arrived Friday morning for consultations.
Meanwhile, a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei, delivered by Qatari envoys, was reportedly welcomed in Tehran as a potential diplomatic pathway to prevent further U.S. military strikes.
The draft framework comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has said Washington is in no hurry to end its war with Iran, characterizing the ongoing hostilities as “not a typical war.” He has maintained that time favors the United States despite months of fighting and repeated diplomatic efforts that have failed to produce a lasting settlement.
Trump has also claimed that Tehran remains eager to negotiate with Washington but faces severe domestic challenges, particularly an inability to pay military personnel and law enforcement officers.
“There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“But look, they’re not paying their soldiers, they’re not paying their police. They’re in a lot of trouble. And we have time, frankly. It’s a war, but it’s not a typical war; we’ve been there for seven months,” he added.
Trump also downplayed the economic cost of the military campaign, asserting that Washington’s spending on the conflict remained relatively low.
“We’re spending very little money, relatively speaking. I heard somebody say, you’re spending money. I said, well, any money we spent, we’ve more than made up for in a place called Venezuela, like by 10 times…” he said.
He did not provide figures to support his claim that the expenditures had been recovered through activities involving Venezuela.
Trump’s assertion that Washington has sufficient time for diplomatic efforts comes despite his repeated references to the possibility of renewed military action against Iran.
He previously suggested that the United States could launch “another little Epic Fury,” referring to the initial military operation against Tehran. On other occasions, he has indicated that a “big and good” agreement could still be reached.
His latest remarks come amid continued uncertainty over the course of the conflict. Although Trump has suggested that Tehran wants an agreement, the two governments remain divided over key issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute advanced Friday when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a G20 ministerial gathering in the United States.
The discussions covered ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, along with broader regional developments and bilateral relations, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.
The meeting followed a telephone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump days earlier. During the call, Ankara expressed concern about maritime security and supported diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions.
While Turkey has joined other regional actors in engaging with U.S. officials to explore possible solutions, Trump’s assertion that Washington has time, coupled with continued threats of military escalation, underscores the fragility of prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough. (ANI)
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